Less energy is consumed - and emissions are lower - when building asphalt pavements. Compared to concrete, asphalt pavements require about 20 percent less energy to produce and construct. Because less energy is consumed, emissions are reduced proportionately.

Rubblization of concrete pavement with an asphalt overlay is another way to save energy and emissions, because the rubblized concrete stays in place to be used as the road base. It doesn't need to be hauled away, new base material doesn't need to be trucked in, and landfill space is saved. In addition, the need for mining, crushing, and processing virgin materials is reduced.

Less energy consumed by the traveling publicReducing congestion—which wastes fuel— by constructing asphalt pavements just makes sense. Asphalt pavements are faster to construct and rehabilitate. Asphalt pavement rehabilitation can be accomplished during off-peak hours. One or more lanes can be closed after the evening rush hour, milled for recycling, resurfaced, and then opened for traffic the following morning. Most motorists do not have to deal with the inconvenience of construction delay. Because a new or newly rehabilitated asphalt pavement can be opened to traffic as soon as it has been compacted and cooled, there is no question of waiting for days or weeks, with traffic being detoured or squeezed into fewer lanes for the material to cure.